Day 2 - Verse 96 - "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have seen Him going into heaven." Acts 1:11

In our common day vernacular, do you think the angels would have said, "Guys from Galilee - He's gone - you can quit looking up in the clouds......"

...."for now."  

For now, this Jesus is gone from your sight.  For now, you won't be able to see Him, walk with Him, hear His actual earthly voice like you've been doing for the past three years.  For now, you need to go to Jerusalem and wait, like He told you, because He is sending someone else to be your Companion (John 14:16).  For now, you won't ever truly be alone, for His Spirit will reside within you, teaching you and reminding you of everything that He has said to you. (John 14:26)  For now, remain faithful and remain strong; never be afraid for all that you have seen and heard has been true...Jesus is who He has said He is...He is your Lord, He is your King.

For now, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, and teaching them everything that Jesus has taught you.  For now, don't worry about what the world thinks of you, or even what they threaten you with.  For now, stand firm in your faith, even unto your death...for now.

Because, you see, guys from Galilee..."This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have seen Him going into heaven."

One day, all the "for nows" will be over!  Jesus will return in the clouds to claim His own.  "For now" will be replaced with an eternal FOREVER of wonderful ever after, with Jesus ruling from His throne.  

So, we don't have to continue to stare up into the clouds...for now Jesus is guiding His believers through His Spirit living within us, through His Holy Word given for our every need, and we need to be about His business...the heavenly business of spreading the Gospel throughout this "for now" world we live in. And when Jesus comes, we won't have to be standing on the Mount of Olives looking up into the very clouds where He departed in order to get a good view...for every eye on earth shall see Him coming in His splendor!  (Revelation 1:7)

Come Lord Jesus!